Academic Catalog

THTR 45A: TECHNICAL THEATRE IN PRODUCTION I

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2025
Units: 4
Hours: 1 lecture, 9 laboratory per week (120 total per quarter)
Advisory: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in THTR 21A; students must meet with the instructor during the first week of the quarter to schedule hours and responsibilities; this course is included in the Production-Technical family of activity courses; not open to students with credit in THTR 99A.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU/UC
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will use basic skills in costuming, lighting, sound and/or scenery construction to create technical solutions for the production needs of a live theatrical performance.
  • Successful students shall be able to learn and execute assigned tasks in lighting, sound, costuming, or other technical departments for a live theatre production.

Description

Students will gain practical experience in the application of production responsibilities in any of the following: stage management, house management, construction, scenery, properties, costume, lighting, sound, and running crews.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in skills required for a technical theatre crew.
  2. Demonstrate and employ inclusive language and terminology required to address the technical demands of a theatrical production.
  3. Execute correctly and safely the assigned responsibilities in technical rehearsals and performances.

Course Content

  1. Script analysis for production planning
  2. Preparation for production, including group planning and assignment of tasks
  3. Safe use of appropriate tools to fulfill production requirements for rehearsal and performance
  4. Basic technical theatre terminology, highlighting current industry trends toward inclusive terminology
  5. Recognize and demonstrate collaborative responsibilities with the director, designers, and crew supervisors
  6. Demonstrate and apply basic skills in running a production
  7. Create, maintain, or construct basic production elements
  8. Recognition of historical inequities in theater production and contemporary advocacy towards a more equitable field

Lab Content

  1. Participation and observation of rehearsal process for scheduled production
  2. Perform various productions support functions dependent on the demands of costumes, scenery, properties, lighting, and sound
  3. Design, create, or facilitate production elements for the stage

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Rehearsal space with an unobstructed, flat floor, approximately 30' x 40' for rehearsal.
2. Fully-equipped theatre for performance; make-up studio and dressing room facilities.
3. Fully-equipped scenic shop.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Evaluation of individual projects in technical theatre production
Observation of rehearsal and performance participation
Peer evaluations of performance responsibilities and outcomes

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Discussion
Cooperative learning exercises
Oral presentations
Laboratory
Demonstration

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Production scripts and instructor handouts.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Read scripts for production preparation.
  2. Read and assess background materials for production preparation and relevance.
  3. Research materials and methods of implementing required production elements.

Discipline(s)

Stagecraft or Theater Arts